Listen! Mark 4:1-20 and Mark 4:26-34 In Chapter 4 of Mark’s Gospel we see a shift in emphasis as Jesus begins his teaching ministry. Verses 2 and 33 of the chapter tell us that Jesus taught in parables regularly. When Jesus taught in parables he used the everyday things that Read more…
A divided kingdom cannot stand Mark 3:20-30 This chapter began in the Synagogue, moved to the lake, then to the mountain and now Jesus returns home. Here his ministry is denied by both family and the Jerusalem authorities. Each tries to explain away what they see and hear, deciding Jesus Read more…
Which is lawful, to do good or to do evil? Mark 2:23-3:8 As we read this story, we sense a storm brewing. Jesus and his disciples are being watched, and not with a benevolent interest. It is here that we see the plot to kill Jesus start. To understand what Read more…
How can the guest of the bridegroom fast? Mark 2:18-22 The disagreement with the Pharisees that we saw yesterday is continuing today! The Pharisees concentrated on trying to live in a holy way. They did this by focusing on following rules, because they thought this would bring them closer to Read more…
It’s not the healthy who need a doctor Mark 2:13-17 We’ve already seen Jesus call people to follow him. But this one is different. It’s to Levi, a tax collector. Tax collectors were despised. Some tax collectors like Levi were Jewish and yet they were working for the oppressive, ruling Read more…
Why are you thinking these things? Mark 2:1-12 There is so much that we could say about this passage. We could talk about the fact that Jesus shows that he is able to forgive sins – something that only God can do. We could talk about how Jesus separates out Read more…
I am willing. Be Clean Mark 1:40-45 Many years ago, I was talking with a woman whose family had been going through a particularly difficult time with one crisis after another. She asked what she’d done wrong that had caused God to let this happen. This inherent belief that our Read more…
Come follow me Mark 1:16-20 Jesus is eager to get on with his mission – and he knows he needs some people to work with him. Why did Jesus want them to follow him? He obviously had a purpose for their lives, and we see through the rest of Mark1 Read more…
The Time Has Come Mark 1:14-15 Try as I might I just cannot sum up what the Good News is, apart from it being about Jesus. It’s meaning cannot be put into a sentence …it will never fit on a bumper sticker or into an easy answer. Throughout the Gospel Read more…
Introduction Mark 1 verse 1 For anyone new to the Bible, there is no better place to start to read about Jesus than the Gospel of Mark. Here we have an eyewitness account of his life that includes his teaching, activities and journey from life in Galilee to the cross Read more…